Crudites and Dips

Editor's note:This recipe is reprinted from Rose Hammick's and Charlotte Packer's book Great Parties for Kids. For Hammick's and Packer's tips on throwing a kids' summer party, click here.

Hummus and guacamole served with breadsticks and veggie sticks make great finger foods for toddlers. Older children love these too, but make sure you offer a selection of breadsticks, chips, and pita bread for those few kids who turn up their noses at the sight of raw vegetables, however sweet and juicy they are.

Tortilla chips (Cut 1 large tortilla into 8 slices. Place on a baking sheet and cook at 350°F for 10 minutes.)

Sweet potato wedges (Peel and cut 2 lbs sweet potatoes into wedges. Place them in a roasting pan, toss in a tablespoon of olive oil, and sprinkle with a teaspoon of paprika. Cook for 35-40 minutes at 400°F, turning a few times. These are great with the sour cream dip.)

Preparation

Make sour cream dip
Lightly mix together all the ingredients. Don't over-stir, as the dip becomes runny quite quickly. This can be prepared the day before the party and kept in the fridge.

Make kid's guacamole
Put the avocado, mayonnaise, and cilantro in a food processor and whiz until smooth. Turn into a serving bowl and stir in the sour cream. Push the avocado pits into the mixture to prevent discoloration, Remove before serving. This will keep in the fridge for up to a day.

Make hummus
Put the chickpeas and lemon juice in a blender and work to a smooth purée. Add the tahini paste, olive oil, and garlic and blend until smooth. Scrape down the sides and add the boiling water. The consistency should be fairly loose and light. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, spoon into bowls and drizzle with a little olive oil. Will keep in the fridge for a couple of days.

Make tomato salsa
Quarter and core the tomatoes and remove the seeds. Finely chop the tomatoes and put into a bowl. Add all the remaining ingredients and combine. Keep at room temperature until ready to serve. This will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.